Distinct variety of strawberry plant--Ruby Red

ABSTRACT

A strawberry variety characterized by large plants bearing late-ripening, large fruit.

My invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant.It is the result of a cross of [([(Canall × Twentieth Century) ×Twentieth Century] × Ogallala) × Oberschlesien] × Surecrop, made by mein 1969, at Grandview, Ind.

Since my discovery of the original plant, I have asexually reproduced alarge number of plants from the original mother plant by rooted runners.

My object in the asexual propagation of the original mother plant was todetermine the characteristics of the plant and of its fruit by thetesting of a large number of plants. The distinguishing features of mynew variety have proved to be permanent. My new variety, which has thecultivar name of "Ruby Red", has proved itself to have unusualpossibilities because of its very large plant, its late season ofmaturity, and its very large fruit.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a typical leaf in full color.

FIG. 2 shows a berry of typical shape.

FIG. 3 illustrates a typical central cross-section of a berry.

In general, the distinct and new variety of strawberry plant, which isthe subject of my invention and discovery, is charcterized by its verylarge plant, its late season of maturity, and its very large fruit.These characteristics I now refer to in greater detail. Color platereferences are according to Color Standards and Color Nomenclature byRobert Ridgway.

Under conditions at Grandview, Ind., and at Champaign, Ill., my newvariety of plant is June-bearing and medium in productivity. The plantsare very large (larger than Surecrop and Jerseybelle), and are verytall, measuring up to 15 inches in height and averaging about 11 to 12inches. In general, they produce a medium number of runners (about 15 to20 per plant -- less than Surecrop); however, during an occasionalseason, they have produced only about 5 per plant.

The leaves are medium green in color, or are approximately Forest Green(Plate XVII), or varying from Varley's Green (Plate XVIII) to ForestGreen (Plate XVII) to Cerro Green (Plate V), depending mainly on soilfertility, but also depending on other soil conditions, exposure, andweather and climatic conditions. The leaves are very large (up to 81/2inches in width and averaging about 6 to 7 inches), slightly glossy,very cupped, and relatively smooth. The terminal leaflet overlaps thelateral leaflets, and the lateral leaflets overlap at the base of theleaf. The petioles are thick, up to 3/16 inch in diameter. The flowersare perfect and are very large, up to 2 inches in diameter. The date ofthe first blossoms in 1981 in southwestern Michigan was May 13.

At Grandview, Ind., and at Champaign, Ill., my new variety of strawberryplant begins to mature its fruit late, about 9 to 10 days later thanSurecrop and about 3 to 4 days later than Jerseybelle. The date of thefirst picking in 1981 in southwestern Michigan was June 12. Theharvesting period is medium in length, or about 14 to 21 days. Theberries are well formed throughout the bearing season.

The fruit is medium red (Jerseybelle is much darker), or isapproximately Nopal Red (Plate I), or varying from Jasper Red (PlateXIII) to Nopal Red (Plate I) to Carmine Red (Plate I), depending mainlyon exposure, but also depending on soil, weather, and climaticconditions. The fruit is very large (up to 2 inches in diameter andaveraging about 11/4 to 11/2 inches), and the size is maintained wellduring the picking season. The primary berries are wedge to conic inshape, while secondary and later berries are mostly conic. About half ofthe fruit is slightly necked. Occasionally, a large berry is slightlynecked with an enlargement of the flesh at the base of up to 20% of thestamens. The fruit is glossy and very firm. The fruit stems are thick(up to 3/16 inch in diameter) and long (up to 11 inches).

The calyx is large. An occasional sepal is 3-toothed instead ofsingle-toothed. The achenes are about flush with the surface to slightlyraised, and are yellow to red depending on exposure.

Under the conditions existing where I have reproduced and tested my newvariety of strawberry plant, the flesh of the berry is medium light redto medium red. The flesh of Jerseybelle is much darker. Usually there isa short pinkish core surrounded by a hollow area, which is surrounded bya slight pinkish area. The fruit is relatively sweet, and is slightlyabove average in flavor.

My new variety of strawberry plant is not especially resistant to any ofthe diseases. The strawberry above described, and the plant producingit, of course, may vary in slight details, depending on soil, weather,and climatic condition.

What I claim is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plantsubstantially as herein shown and described, characterized by its verylarge plant, its late season of maturity, and its very large fruit.